Mennonite Girls Can Cook is a collection of recipes which were posted daily for a period of ten years from 2008 to 2018. We have over 3,000 delicious recipes that we invite you to try. The recipes can be accessed in our recipe file by category or you can use the search engine.

Recipe Search

Overnight Layered Salad



This is a familiar salad to many but perhaps there are some new cooks out there who haven't made this. The ingredients can vary according to your taste and what vegetables you have on hand but this version is pretty classic. The nice thing about it is that you can make it the night before and it willbe an attractive addition to your meal.

For the Salad: 


  • iceberg lettuce (can include some romaine or spinach for colour)
  • finely sliced red cabbage
  • chopped celery
  • chopped red or yellow pepper (or both)
  • Chopped green onions
  • 4-5 hard boiled eggs
  • thawed petite peas
  • 1/2 pound bacon, diced and fried until crisp and drained
    1. Find your prettiest wide glass bowl. (Some have made this in a 9 x 13 inch pan so that the dressing is better distributed among the servings. However I like the way you can see the layers in a bowl.)
    2. Place a layer of torn iceberg lettuce in the bottom of the bowl. 
    3. Add a layer of finely sliced red cabbage, a layer of chopped celery followed by a layer of chopped peppers.
    4. Sprinkle peppers with chopped green onion, peas and diced cooked bacon.
    5. Add a layer of coarsely chopped hard boiled eggs (use two)
    6. Note: For a pretty effect, you can stand some egg slices up around the inside edge of the bowl about halfway through the second layer.
    7. Repeat layers.
    8. Carefully spread dressing (recipe follows) over salad. It should cover the salad completely. (If needed, add a bit more mayonnaise.)
    9. Top with shredded Cheddar Cheese or Swiss Cheese and garnish with any or several of the following: sliced eggs, green onion or red peppers 
    10. Cover salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours or overnight.
    For the Dressing:
    • 1-1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
    • 1/4 cup Ranch dressing or 1-2 teaspoons of dry Ranch Dip Mix
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1 tablespoon. vinegar
    • 1/2 cup sour cream if desired.
    1. Mix all ingredients until well blended.

    11 comments:

    1. I love this salad!! My mom has made a couple of different versions through the years and it remains a family fave!

      ReplyDelete
    2. THAt loos so good...I have always wanted to try this, TY for posting :)

      ReplyDelete
    3. I haven't had this salad in a long time..a good recipe for family gatherings. Thanks for the reminder Bev, I'll be making it soon.

      ReplyDelete
    4. I love that idea! I need to go to the grocery store and get ingredients! Thanks for the recipe!

      ReplyDelete
    5. this is a variation of a salad i love to make in the summer, because the house does not become hot! But I'm definitely going to try it with the red cabbeage, and red/yellow pepper instead of gree peppe.

      ReplyDelete
    6. That is a really pretty salad. I don't think I've never actually made it, but have come across it many times at potlucks.

      ReplyDelete
    7. I'm glad to know where I can find this recipe now. I like it that it's not just mayo in the dressing part. I've enjoyed it at potlucks or gatherings, but have not made it too often myself. I guess I'm usually bringing dessert,or something...

      ReplyDelete
    8. Looks delicious...I have always wanted to try that salad...maybe now is the time. Thanks for sharing.

      Stay Cozy, Carrie

      ReplyDelete
    9. This has always been one of my favorites for Christmas Dinners. ..making it ahead. . yours looks so pretty Bev.

      ReplyDelete
    10. Everyone loved this! It was a hit! Made this for Christmas Eve prime rib dinner and served leftovers for Christmas Day lasagna. I didn't have the "right" type of serving bowl and just made it in a clear salad bowl. Next time I'll put more lettuce in it as there was PLENTY of dressing. Thanks for sharing!

      ReplyDelete